We have a new, very active U3A here in Katikati. Our Early NZ History group was recently privileged to spend the day, on a bus tour of Tauranga with Buddy Mikaere, a Māori community leader.

He took us to all the places associated with Gate Pa. Places some of us didn’t know existed, and we certainly didn’t know all about them. We visited the Otumoetai Pa (to give an idea of a traditional pa), the Elms, the Mission Cemetery, Monmouth Redoubt and Durham Redoubt. We drove by the 68th Regiment barracks, in the Historic Village, then after a hearty buffet lunch at Tauranga RSA, visited Pukehinahina-Gate Pa and Te Ranga.

It was a day full of surprises, interest, sobering and eye opening history. The battle site at Te Ranga was news to most of us.
I listened attentively to the interview with Charlie Ramiro, another Tauranga community leader, on Māpuna on RNZ on Saturday afternoon, at Labour Weekend. He provided even more explanation and insights to the battles and the background to the battles.

This week Tauranga Moana prepares to host Te Pūtake o te Riri, the national commemorations for the New Zealand Wars. This year is the 159th anniversary of the battle of Pukehinahina (Gate Pa) where the iwi of Tauranga Moana defeated British forces, and the retribution by the British at Te Ranga.

Christine Donehue